Pride is part of the value system of this world (1Jn 2:15-27). The Biblical definition of pride is not feeling good about a job well done. It involves comparing ourselves with others, which is not wise (2Cor 10:12). It is thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to (Rom 12:3), and it is also valuing ourselves by thinking we are better than someone else (Phil 2:4). The Lord Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh (Jn 1:1-14, Jn 14:7-11, 2Cor 5:19, Col 2:9, 1Tim 3:16). Yet He humbled Himself even to death by crucifixion (Phil 2:5-11). In His humanity, He always directed the glory to His heavenly Father (Mt 19:17, Jn 8:49). “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. (1Tim 5:24-25).” Jesus also said, “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God (Lk 16:15)”. The glory of man in this world is fleeting and vain (1Pet 1:24-25).
Then there are those who seek to do the right thing for no other reason than it is the right thing to do (1Jn 3:7). There are those who get no recognition by man but are known of God. The Bible shows us such men.
Ezra is a man that is not preached about much. He does not even appear on his own book in the Bible until chapter 7 of 10. The people of Judah had been conquered by Babylon (606-589 BC). Some had been taken captive to Babylon in three waves (Jer 52:28-30). Ezra lived about 100 years later. He was a descendant of those taken captive (Ezra 7:1). Apparently, he had never even seen his homeland. After the Persians conquered the Babylonians, they allowed the Jews to start returning to their homeland. They started to rebuild the temple and the walls in Jerusalem (Ezra 1-6, Haggai 1-2, Neh 1-6). Ezra was still a captive in Persia at the start of all this (Ezra 7:1-10). However, he did not sit idle in captivity. He studied the scriptures diligently, prepared himself to teach Israel the word of God, and was ready to do so (Ezra 7:6 & 10). He was so well known for this that even the emperor of Persia knew it and sent him with a letter of endorsement to Jerusalem to teach the word of God and help with the rebuilding of the temple. (Ezra 7:12-26). He faithfully prepared himself for this and was ready to do it, even though outwardly it did not look like it was going to happen.
We also don’t talk about Joseph the husband of Mary much. There are only 2 stories in the Bible he is even mentioned in – the birth and early life of Jesus and their trip to Jerusalem when the Lord was 12 years old (Mt 1-2, Lk 1-2). Joseph was a just man (Mt 1:19). His character was such that when he learned that his fiancé Mary was pregnant, he was going to break off their engagement privately so as not to publicly humiliate her. He had 3 visitations from the angel of the Lord to direct him during this time, and he also had a dream in which he was directed to return from Egypt. He obeyed them all, including the instruction to marry Mary even though she was pregnant. It took a lot of faith and trust for Joseph to follow through. Image the looks from those who did not believe that Mary has a miraculous conception, not only on Mary but Joseph. Although Joseph was not the natural father of Jesus, he took the responsibility of being Mary’s husband and the “stepfather” of Jesus. Can you imagine the sense of responsibility beyond the already serious responsibility of being a parent? Jesus wasn’t just another child. Joseph was raising the Messiah - the humanity that God manifested Himself in (Jn 1-1-14, Jn 14:7-11, 2Cor 5:19, Col 2:9, 1Tim 3:16). After Joseph returned with his family to Nazareth after the visit to Jerusalem when Jesus was 12, we never hear about him again. Perhaps he was still alive when Jesus gave the sermon on the bread of life (Jn 6:42), and then he vanishes from the Biblical record. Most scholars believe Joseph died before Jesus did because there are places you might expect him to be mentioned and he is not (Mt 12:47, Jn 2:12, Jn 7:3-10). When Jesus was dying on the cross, He told John to take care of Mary, and she moved into his home (Jn 19:25-27). This apparently indicates that that Joseph had died.
In the book of Acts, we read of another man we rarely talk about – Apollos. He was a disciple of John the baptizer and “an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord (Acts 18:24-28)”. A couple named Aquila and Priscilla taught him about the Messiah – Jesus Christ. He received the gospel. He did not take the position of “Don’t you know who I am? I know the scriptures and I’m a great teacher!” He was open to receive more truth and was bold to preach it publicly. He was also effective at proving to the Jews publicly by the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. This all occurred in Ephesus, where Paul had just left, having preached there in the synagogue (Acts 18:19-21). Paul returned to Antioch. Apollos then went to Corinth where Paul had also been previously (Acts 18:1-18), and Paul went to Ephesus (Acts 19). Apollos is mentioned 7 times in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians because Apollos had ministered there and was still influential. There is only one other reference to Apollos (Titus 3:3).
Hebrews chapter 11 is called the hall of fame of faith. It goes through many of the heroes of faith in the Old Testament such as Noah, Abraham, and Moses. Then at the end of the chapter there are people who are only mentioned as “others” (vs 35-38). Their names are not given. The list of their accomplished deeds by faith only include the persecutions and martyrdom they endured. Their notoriety will only come in the resurrection (vs 35).
We should not be like the religious hypocrites in the days of Jesus on the earth (Mt 6:1-18, Mt 23, Lk 16:15, Jn 5:44). They only sought the honor of men, and not the honor that comes from God only, which is immeasurably greater and eternal. Those that give honor and glory to God will also be honored and glorified by Him, and not only now, but in eternity (1Sam 2:30, Jn 12:26, Rom 2:10, Heb 2:10, 1Pet 1:7, 1Pet 5:1-4). He that humbles himself shall be exalted, and he that exalts himself shall be humbled (Prov 15:33, Prov 18:22, Prov 22:4, Prov 29:23, Lk 14:11, Lk 18:14, Heb 2:9). God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble (Jam 4:6, 1Pet 5:5).
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